Thread: Abrasive Surface

I've been thinking about possibly changing my paste setup and wanted to get people's opinions on what works best.
I want to focus on what I use so any reasonable facsimile should be included as it's nearest assignation in the poll.
I've also included multi answers because I suspect some of you, like myself, use different products.
So, Why do you use what you do and have you tried it another way?

X

PS What's the difference between Boron Carbide, Silicon Carbide and Aluminum Oxide???

"None of the above" is not an option, unfortunately. My preferred setup are BC4 and Cr2O3 on hardwood, although it's very slow.

Edit: as for other setups I've tried:

chrome oxide on brushed leather - didn't like it, it's fast and puts a very fine polish, but seems to round the edge

diamond on smooth leather - it's fast and the TI's love it, though it seems to weaken the edge

chrome oxide on smooth leather - it's fast and nearly everthing else loves it, though it seems to weaken the edge

stones only - I've got the 15k Shapton and love the edge it puts on a razor. I'm as well-known chrome oxide junky, but my fondness for it is contingent on a hardwood paddle. I bought the Shapton precisely because I was generally unhappy with the results I was getting off the pasted smooth leather paddle.

I haven't tried enough different setups to settle on one that I really like. I'm currently using 1 and .5 micron diamond pastes on a Tony Miller leather paddle. Have some chromium oxide on the way from Ilija...

I've also used the diamond pastes on a piece of balsa, which worked well, although slowly.

I'm not really satisfied with the edge I'm getting from the diamond pastes, so I'm hoping the CO will be the silver bullet...

I therefore refrain from voting...

Josh

Currently I finish on an Escher and then go to Chrome oxide on a smooth leather paddle. This gives me the edge that suits me the best. Sharpness plus comfort.

The diamond paste was really fast and using the 0.25 micron gave me an incredible edge but it was not comfortable and left me with "weep" holes on my face.

The Chinese 12K gives a very sharp edge also but it is not as comfortable shaving.

The coticule is very good but I like the Escher a bit better.
When I follow up either one with the 0.5 chrome oxide then I always have a very good shave.

For me, there is such a thing as "to sharp".

I'm still liking the diamond paste on smooth leather up to 0.5 but have been playing with Chromium Oxide and it does give a nice smooth edge. On some razors the diamond may feel a little harsh where the Chromium may make a smoother shave.

For stones it's still a toss up on Belgians and Thuringens, both feeling about equal.

Tony

X, I removed the double "s" in "setup" and added the option for the Chromium Oxide powder, which a few of us got from Keith. (Josh, yours was dropped off today but it's probably going to leave tomorrow as CP doesn't work over the weekends). I use mine mixed with strop dressing. It gives me an ultra-smooth edge that wipes the stubble off and gives me zero irritation.

I have been thinking about putting a glass plate on top of an old record player, and put leather on top of that.
Add some chromium oxide and that should be a fine sharpening tool.

It's still in the idea phase though.

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

X, I removed the double "s" in "setup" and added the option for the Chromium Oxide powder, which a few of us got from Keith. (Josh, yours was dropped off today but it's probably going to leave tomorrow as CP doesn't work over the weekends). I use mine mixed with strop dressing. It gives me an ultra-smooth edge that wipes the stubble off and gives me zero irritation.

Cheers, Ilija.

X

OK, so I decided to vote after all. I've recently gone back to using diamond paste on balsa after using it on leather for a long time, and the balsa makes for a much smoother edge.

I've never been able to get a comfortable shave off the 8K--not sure whether it's my honing technique or my beard. Probably my honing. My razors pass the HHT very nicely off the 8K and don't have a wire, but they cause me irritation...

Anyway, after 20 laps on the 1 micron balsa paddle and 30 on the .5, they're soooooo much nicer. I think the balsa helps lessen the harshness of the diamond paste.

I'm planning to experiment with doing 1 micron balsa followed by chromium oxide on leather... That might be nice.

Josh